Inferno Radio Abruptly Shuts Down Operations
Inferno Radio, a Southwest Florida-based digital streaming station, has ceased all operations effective immediately due to undisclosed internal issues. Leadership cited “safety and integrity” concerns as the primary reason and stressed that, while legal constraints limit details, this move is a temporary organizational pause rather than a permanent shutdown. Spokesperson Trish Ray suggested future developments are possible, drawing notable industry attention.
U.S. AM/FM Radio Listening Surges in Nielsen Spring 2025 Ratings
Nielsen’s Spring 2025 Portable People Meter data shows a 19% year-over-year increase in AM/FM radio listening among U.S. adults aged 25-54. This is primarily due to a new methodology that now credits three-minute listening sessions (down from five), enabling stations to post stronger reach numbers for advertisers and signaling a strong outlook for traditional radio in a shifting media landscape.
Universal Music Publishing Group Appoints Jamie Kinelski SVP of A&R
Universal Music Publishing Group has promoted Jamie Kinelski to Senior Vice President of A&R. Reporting to EVP Jennifer Knoepfle, Kinelski will be based in New York and tasked with signing, developing, and supporting songwriters, artists, and producers as well as helping to expand UMPG’s U.S. A&R team. The move underlines UMPG’s emphasis on creative leadership amid heightened international publishing competition.
Universal Music Group Eyes U.S. Stock Market Listing
Universal Music Group (UMG) is preparing for a U.S. stock market debut to supplement its Amsterdam listing. This move is being driven by investor strategy, including Pershing Square, and is set to be addressed by CEO Lucian Grainge during the upcoming July 31 earnings call. UMG’s capital planning underscores its ambition to expand its international presence and capital market profile.
Blues Music Streaming Surge Linked to ‘Sinners’ Film
Luminate’s midyear 2025 report reveals a notable surge in U.S. blues music streaming, attributed to the release of the film “Sinners” featuring iconic bluesman Buddy Guy. Guy’s recent album launch, synchronized with his 89th birthday and the movie’s premiere, has driven renewed interest and streaming volume in blues among mainstream audiences. (read more, see pics)
Live Music Industry Navigates Post-Pandemic Structural Shifts
Live Nation and other leading promoters report that, despite overall revenue gains, the 2025 live music industry faces heightened touring costs and new visa restrictions that challenge both superstar and mid-tier acts. Industry leaders call for creative business models and increased government support to sustain international touring and grassroots venues amid ongoing market realignment.
Slushii Launches Manga-Music Webcomic Project
Electronic music artist Slushii has released ‘Chrysalis,’ an 18-track album tightly integrated with a webcomic titled Sapient Dream in collaboration with WEBTOON. This cross-media project exemplifies the expanding convergence between music and digital storytelling, offering fans an interactive universe that merges music, manga, and web-based engagement.
Concord Music Publishing Inks Global Deal With J Hus
Concord Music Publishing has signed British rap innovator J Hus to an exclusive worldwide publishing deal covering all future works. The agreement was reached after J Hus’s sold-out Royal Albert Hall performance, bolstering Concord’s global artist roster and affirming its presence in high-profile contemporary music publishing.
Spotify Advances Conversational AI for Streaming
Spotify is building next-generation conversational AI tools beyond its existing AI DJ, leveraging its unique dataset from voice interactions. Chief Product and Technology Officer Gustav Söderström says these advancements will drive more tailored, interactive music recommendation experiences, with further generative AI features in development as revealed during Spotify’s Q2 2025 earnings call.
ROXi and Sinclair Launch World’s First Interactive TV Music Channel in U.S.
ROXi, in partnership with Sinclair Broadcast Group, has launched what they call the world’s first fully interactive TV music channel, now accessible in more than 31 million U.S. homes. The channel integrates music playback, interactive karaoke, and social participation via television, signaling another leap in convergence between music and home entertainment technology.
Warner Chappell Music Extends Global Deal With Carter Lang
Warner Chappell Music renewed its worldwide publishing partnership with acclaimed producer/songwriter Carter Lang—known for work with SZA, Post Malone, and Doja Cat—in cooperation with Electric Feel Entertainment. The deal covers all past and future works, reinforcing Warner Chappell’s ties to leading creative talent.
Marine Radio Technology Market Forecast
The global marine radio market is projected to grow from $2.4billion in 2025 to $5.1billion by 2034, with the expansion propelled by regulatory compliance, AI-integrated safety upgrades, and new satellite communications systems—spurring significant tech innovation and investment in maritime radio.
U.S. Streaming Platforms Surpass Cable and Broadcast TV
Nielsen’s latest report shows that, for the first time, streaming platforms have overtaken the combined audience share of cable and broadcast TV in the U.S., accounting for 44.8% of total viewership in May 2025. Major contributors include YouTube and Netflix, alongside rapid growth of ad-supported platforms like Tubi and Roku Channel. This trend reflects dramatic shifts in consumer viewing and corresponding industry investment.
AI-Generated Bands and Passive Listening Models Rise in Music Industry
The music sector is seeing a significant uptick in AI-generated bands populating algorithmic playlists and background listening streams, especially on Spotify. These AI tracks are mostly passive, rarely associated with human artists or public identities, and are challenging traditional notions of creator compensation and content transparency—spark discussions around future streaming platform standards.
Nielsen Radio Ratings: Atlanta Correction and Broader Market Delays
Nielsen experienced unforeseen technical delays in releasing Spring 2025 radio ratings for select U.S. markets, including Monmouth-Ocean and Biloxi-Gulfport-Pascagoula. In Atlanta, the company revised its June 2025 report after initially omitting a low-power FM station’s audience data. The corrected report was released July 29, affecting only the previously excluded station.
